I think we all should do every one of these when traveling. I think portion control is a given whether you are on vacation or at home. I do realize that not everyone feels that way.
You should try to eat as healthy as possible most of the time you are traveling. I know there will be times on vacation that you may want to try a new food or something really decadent that you don't get at home. You should do that. It makes the vacation more fun and less ordinary. With that said, exercise becomes even more important.
Packing healthy snacks for the car is a good option and probably a less costly one.
Diet when the vacation is over should be rephrased as return to your regular way of eating. The way EW wrote this point makes it sound like a diet with a beginning and an end. What we want people to follow is a healthy eating plan that they can follow forever.
Originally posted by skupe: I think we all should do every one of these when traveling. I think portion control is a given whether you are on vacation or at home. I do realize that not everyone feels that way.
You should try to eat as healthy as possible most of the time you are traveling. I know there will be times on vacation that you may want to try a new food or something really decadent that you don't get at home. You should do that. It makes the vacation more fun and less ordinary. With that said, exercise becomes even more important.
Packing healthy snacks for the car is a good option and probably a less costly one.
Diet when the vacation is over should be rephrased as return to your regular way of eating. The way EW wrote this point makes it sound like a diet with a beginning and an end. What we want people to follow is a healthy eating plan that they can follow forever.
Suz
I agree that portion control should be a habit and that we should try to eat healthfully (almost!) at all times. I have a desk job, so when I'm on vacation I'm more active than usual and seldom think about snacking, as I might at my desk. I think you need to have some special meals on vacation, especially if the region is known for it's food!
Healthy, easy to eat snacks in the car are a must. I even take sandwich ingredients on occasion so that fast food restauants won't entice me.
When I travel I try to find local farmers markets or health food stores to purchase food at. This way I know I am getting the healthest options and it is a fun way to meet the locals. Also I tend to use public transportation over renting a car - which allows for more walking and seeing the sites. I budget for one meal out, and the rest at the markets. It helps keep my expenses down and I eat healthier.
Our yearly vacation consists of 2 weeks at beach. We rent a house and I cook most of our meals in my normal lowfat, healthy way (I use local produce stands and seafood markets). We go out for a total of 4 or 5 lunches and a dinner or two. We run on the beach every morning, and take our bikes along to use as well. Sometimes I lose weight, sometimes I remain the same, but I've never gained weight on vacation since we have been doing this.
Posts: 57 | Location: Northeastern USA | Registered: February 26, 2006
I always pack a cooler with healthful fresh fruits and veggies that can be easily eaten raw or rolled into a whole grain spelt tortilla or pita. I snack on nuts and make sure to drink 2 or more liters of water per day. When I do eat out, I order my meal to contain 50% veggies, 25% lean protein, and 25% starch. Also, I make sure to understand how the meal is prepared, and make special requests or adjustments as needed. I've found most restaurants are happy to assist.
I apply the same mentality towards food while vacationing as I do in my everyday life. I respect myself and my body enough not to put "garbage" in it. Why use vacationing as an excuse to violate your physical health when vacationing is supposed to renew your health.
We noticed that packing our own snacks can make or break travel days. For years I have had the habit of going in at every gas stop. I would run inside, use the facilities, buy a soft drink and a snack. Now we keep cans cold in our fridge, and make sandwiches when we stop. For us it really helps to be towing a kitchen behind us, haha!
Since we are always on the road, we are already used to watching what we eat at all times. We refuse to travel somewhere and not be able to sample the local cuisine, but we've also learned how to not go overboard with that. As for looking for the healthiest fast food option...well, we do that when we have to. One meal at Subway might have 400 calories, but half of your daily sodium intake.
Posts: 14 | Location: Traveling the US | Registered: June 28, 2007
